During his trial by Pontius Pilate on the night before his crucifixion, Christ Jesus made this statement to Pilate: "To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth." ^{John 18:37;} As many have done since that day, Pilate asked, "What is truth?" And like many, he did not wait for the answer but busied himself with human affairs.

A student of Christian Science who was experiencing much error in his private affairs often received this advice, "Know the truth." At first, he asked himself: "What is the truth? What do I have to know?" Later, as a result of study and prayer, his understanding grew, and he began to realize the meaning of the kind and helpful advice.

The truth he had to know and the way to apply it to his problems unfolded to him by steps. One of the earliest was the understanding, in a degree, of a statement by Mrs. Eddy, "The Christlike understanding of scientific being and divine healing includes a perfect Principle and idea, —perfect God and perfect man,—as the basis of thought and demonstration."^{Science and Health, p. 259;} Here was a statement of truth he could grasp and hold on to, something upon which he could base prayer and study in solving daily problems.

Another step in the unfoldment came while he was studying the Bible story of Jacob, particularly his experience at Peniel. The account tells us that Jacob had deceitfully obtained from his father, Isaac, the blessing that Esau, the elder brother, thought rightfully belonged to him. In wrath Esau swore vengeance upon Jacob. However, Jacob escaped with the help of his mother and went to dwell in the land of his ancestors, where he prospered. Years later, God told Jacob that he should return to the Promised Land and that He would be with him. Jacob was still afraid of Esau, but he obeyed God's Word and departed with all his family and possessions.

As Jacob was nearing his destination, a messenger brought him word that Esau was on his way to meet him with four hundred men. This information made Jacob very fearful, and he prayed that God might spare him from Esau's wrath. That night, the account continues, "Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day."^{Gen. 32:24;}

From this study the student reasoned along these lines: This "man," with whom Jacob wrestled, was a limited sense of man, a mortal belief that man, God's image, could have been dishonest and deceitful. The Bible tells us that, as he wrestled, the day broke; that is, the light of truth dawned on Jacob's consciousness and revealed to him the fact that man is God's perfect image, or idea, never dishonest or afraid. This spiritual awakening lessened Jacob's fear. It gave him the courage and strength to go out to meet Esau with some glimpse of the fact that both he and his brother were, in reality, children of God. And this glimpse of the truth brought about a correction in the human situation, for the account reads, "And Esau ran to meet him, and embraced him, and fell on his neck, and kissed him: and they wept." ^33:4;

Not only was Jacob healed of fear, but evidently Esau was healed of his desire for vengeance and of a belief that he had been deprived of a blessing that rightfully belonged to him. God's blessings are for all His children, not for one alone. God's blessings are unlimited and cannot diminish or fail. Mrs. Eddy writes, "In the scientific relation of God to man, we find that whatever blesses one blesses all, as Jesus showed with the loaves and the fishes,—Spirit, not matter, being the source of supply."^{Science and Health, p. 206;}

From this reasoning the student saw that discord is an error of belief that disappears from human consciousness when the truth is admitted. But one never eliminates errors of belief—and that is all that discords, disease, and death are—as long as he believes them to be something. One can eliminate them only by knowing that they are nothing, that they have no place, power, or existence.

The truth about error is that it is a mortal misconception that good can be absent. But God is good, and He fills all space; so what can be present besides good? Knowing the truth and applying it to any belief of a discordant nature are the perfect remedy. This practice annihilates error and restores harmony.

Christ Jesus, when he healed, was so constantly aware of the presence of Truth, God, that nothing unlike the divine likeness could abide in his consciousness. When an erroneous condition manifested itself before him, he understood the reality of being, and this understanding rebuked the error with authority. Mrs. Eddy writes of him: "Jesus beheld in Science the perfect man, who appeared to him where sinning mortal man appears to mortals. In this perfect man the Saviour saw God's own likeness, and this correct view of man healed the sick." ^{pp. 476, 477;}

Who would not experience harmony rather than discord, health than sickness, freedom than bondage? Then, realizing that the truth eliminates discord, sickness, and bondage, we should strive to know the truth about every erroneous condition, whether we read about it in the newspapers, hear about it on the radio, or experience it in our daily lives.

To know the truth constantly is to "pray without ceasing." ^{I Thess. 5:17;} This is our duty to God, our neighbor, and the world. If we do this conscientiously, we shall see wonderful things come to pass. Jesus once said to the Jews who began to understand his teachings, "If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." ^{John 8:31, 32.}